Event || The Festival of Light

[eternitymods]

Who: Everyone!
When: August 18th - 25th
Where: The Empire
What: The Festival of Light is here! Feel free to use any of these prompts. NPCs tag will come sometimes this week. Please mention it in your top-level if you'd rather not be tagged by a random NPC.
Warnings/Notes: N/A

EXPOSITION OF THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
— Third District || August 18th – August 25th || 10:00 to 23:00 —
The museums in the 03rd District are open to visitors and are home to many relics predating written history. A lot of those old relics are items of archaeological interest or look like they could be really advanced technologies if they weren't broken beyond repair. Prototypes for Magitek Armor of a new age are exposed, alongside fragments of what are believed to belong to the legendary WEAPONs, machines that belong to the same category than Ultima WEAPON.

The section for Eidolons has all the Eidolons the characters have met so far as well as others yet undiscovered displaying on a gigantic wall-covering painting. The largest Eidolon on the painting appears to be a dragon some characters may recognize as Bahamut, he is so big he dwarves the other Eidolons and should one pay attention, his wings are actually the background of the painting.

Interestingly, someone has doodled something that looks like Ultros over Leviathan on the painting...


SUNNY STARLIGHT
— Ninth District || August 22nd – August 25th || 07:00 to 19:00 —
Do you really believe because it’s summer, you can escape the beauty and magnificence of Christmas? Think again. There is one thing all the nations on Vaikuntha are of one mind on: the wait from the December 26th of a year to the December 24th of the next is too long. This is why a band of Moogles, Lalafells, Bangaas and Zoras from all across the Empire have occupied half of the Ninth District. Decorated trees, Christmas music, people dressed as Santa Claus (and probably dying because of the heat), fake gift boxes as well as a very large and pretty box for donations all await you!

Kids below the age of 15 will all receive a gift if they come: plushies made in the likeness of the main villains of numbered Final Fantasy games! And when you press the button hidden on their stomach, they speak a random line. Who doesn't want a Sephiroth plushie saying "You are a puppet" or a Jecht one repeating "Cry, cry, cry" all day long?

It's like a dream come true!


MIDNIGHT AIRSHIP
— Twelfth District || August 20th – August 24th || 23:00 to 06:00 —
For the late sleepers, it is possible to board a special airship prepared by Hypellos to party up in the sky. The Airship flies all around the Imperial Territories and should characters so desire, they can ask to stop by one of the two other cities. Whether they want to dance, to eat or to enjoy the view, it might be a very fun and relaxing activity. It is also a very good place from where to watch the fireworks… Or to scout for an incoming Tarutaru and her weapon toy.

Note that all the personnel onboard are Hypellos. They are very serviceable and nice, but can try the patience of those not used to their accent. Of note, one Hypello is green and appears to be angrily stalking anyone heading for the "Sunny Starlight" event. He is quite sneaky though and will always manage to get away before being approached.


MOGNET EXPOSITION
— Ninth District || August 22nd – August August 25th || 07:00 to 19:00 —
The half of the Ninth District not occupied by Christmas fanatics is occupied by the Moogles working for the Imperial section of Mognet. Split for the regular Mognet for a decade, Imperial Mognet has managed to thrive. Imperial iMog Slates have all sorts of functions other iMog Slates could only dream of, such as games, grammar check and that kind of stuff. All of those things can be visited at the exposition! Not only that, but the Moogles are also putting on display things that have nothing to do with Mognet but more to do with Moogles themselves.

Come and visit the exposition to discover the rich and amazing culture of the Moogles! Kupo Nuts, Fur Dye, Fake Kupo Nuts, Pom Shiner, Carved Kupo Nuts, booklets titled "How to Use Your Cuteness to Exploit People," Mognet Bags, Deluxe Kupo Nuts, Sheets to Prepare Future Strikes, Mog Beds, Explosive Kupo Nuts, Kupo Champagne—

There is no end to what might be learned from Moogles!


CHOCOBO RACES
— Sen Riqeaux || August 23rd || 15:00 to 20:00 —
A Chocobo Race will be held all around the city! Will you compete? Shall you win? There are no prizes as all the money earned through the race is given to the Safety of Sparks Golsaucia movement. Those participating can bring their own Chocobo or get a temporary one from the people organizing the race. It will be a very bad Chocobo though, so they shouldn’t expect to win… Beware the Hamsters and Marlboro during the race though. It’d be a real shame to end up getting eaten while racing.


SHOPPING
— City's Outskirts || August 18th – August 25th || 07:00 - 20:00 —
On the city's outskirts are all manners of stalls by shoppers eager to make some money. You can find everything there: plushies, food, clothes, souvenirs, books and even cosmetics. Why, one of the merchant is even selling contact lenses covering nearly all of the rainbow's spectrum aside from green while another sells all kind of swords, even the supposed legendary Excalibur! This might be the perfect place to take on O'aka's Quest if you so wish!


MINI SPARKS GOLSAUCIA
— Eleventh District || August 19th – August 24th || Anytime —
Specially for the festival, stallholders from Sparks Golsaucia were invited and brought a few attractions to display what they can do. Noticeably, there is a shooting stand—Once again, a treasure chest game where characters are presented with ten chests and can open only one-- Prizes range from one Gils to gigantic plushies. The novelty this year is something called the "Kupo Boxes," Boxes you punch open and you get something: perhaps something wonderful like a 1 million gil ticket, more often than not though absolutely nothing. Will you try your chance? Be careful, your wallet might not survive it.


TOURNAMENTS
— Tenth District || August 19th – August 23rd || 10:00/15:00/20:00 —
There is a Blitzball Competition taking place during the Festival of Light! Characters are free to go and watch the matches, so long as they can pay for the tickets. At the same time, a Triple Triad competition is taking place. Characters are free to enter the Triple Triad tournament if they so wish. Characters who know Triple Triads have decent chances to win. And even if your characters lose, what matters is trying, right? There are no prizes to be won, as all money goes to the Triple Triad For Everyone associations.


CULINARY ATTRACTIONS
— Second District || August 18th – August 25th || 12:00 to 13:30 / 19:00 to 21:00 —
What would a festival be without free food and banquets? Not really a festival. In the fourteenth district, there is a banquet and many stands held by people from all over the Empire. All kind of food can be found here-- Refined food, pastries, cakes, cooked meals, etc. It's virtually impossible not to find something to like in all of this, and it's all free! There are, however, guards standing around on the lookout for Gourmands who would be tempted to ruin the fun for everyone. After what happened two years ago, better be careful.


THE OPERA
— Ninth District || August 18th - August 24th || 22:00 —
There is an opera every day for all to see for free, titled "A Goddess's Tears." It is a retelling of the creation myth, but shown from the (presumed) perspective of the Goddess of Death. The play depicts the Goddess as someone who started out as a rather sweet person, but whose life took such terrible turns she wished to die and resented life. Yet, death was too scary of a prospect for her and she couldn't choose what was better, Life or Death. As the play progresses, she decides both are equally terrible and resolves to create a world where those very notions shall no longer exist.

As the play unfolds, toward the ends the story becomes what people are more familiar with. However, rather than letting her die wordlessly, the four heroes appease the Goddess's soul by singing. As the four heroes sing, the Goddess smiles and sheds a single tear before passing away. It is said the play is very emotional, sensible people might want to pass on it.


HOUSING
— Fourteenth District || August 17th - August 27th || Anytime —
Before, after and during the Festival of Light, the characters will all need a place where they can rest. Thankfully for them, people coming with the Curti Center delegation are all given the keys to stay in one of the abandoned houses in the 14th District. Truth to be told however, those house look anything but abandoned. Why, it's as if people had been living in them up until very recently, given how either clean and ordered they are for some, or chaotic and neglected they are for others (Characters who were present in Melodies of Life will be able to notice the houses are nearly identical to what they were just before the time skip during endgame, though there are a few eerie differences).

At least, it's a good place to sleep!


ARDYNIAN DISCOVERY
— Fifteenth District || August 18th – August 25th || 10:00, 15:00, 20:00 —
Everyday, it will be possible to get wheeled motor vehicle driven by imperial soldiers and go visit one of the other cities, case in point, Ardynia! Not much is done over there for the Festival of Light, but it is worth checking out, if only for the Wizard and Jester Jobs. It is a thriving city with people from all over the Empire, and it appears to be something of a shopping center for the imperial region.

And most importantly, discover the official headwear of Ardynia: the Fedora! It is said Archaeologists have imported this fashion trend to Ardynia when they pass by, but none know whether this is true or not. While most citizens have enough senses not to actually wear this dreaded hat, those who do wear it really look dumb doing so. And those who don't look dumb look like they'd make jokes about your pet's untimely demise while you're still crying about it.

Perhaps is is best to stay away.


PARASRAYA DISCOVERY
— Fifteenth District || August 18th – August 25th || 10:00, 15:00, 20:00 —
Everyday, it will be possible to get wheeled motor vehicle driven by imperial soldiers and go visit one of the other cities, case in point, Parasraya! Not much is done over there for the Festival of Light, but it is worth checking out, if only for the Archaeologist and Catmancer Jobs, as well as the Weapon Master Association. It is a technologically advanced yet small and cozy city...

... If it wasn't for a tragedy plaguing the city: cats, cats everywhere. If the meowing doesn't kill you, the constant flow of cats asking to be pet, fed and to sit on your lap might. You may even encounter a few tired citizens paying you money to take care of the cat infestation around their house. Others however are really defensive of the cats and will hunt anyone trying to bring harm to them. Of course, the source of all these cat-related troubles can be traced back to the origins of the Catmancer guild.

But, perhaps it is a story best left for another day.


FIREWORKS
— First District || August 18th – August 24th || Midnight —
Fireworks will be launched from the Castle starting 00:00 and will end at 01:00, everyday of the Festival. No matter where you are in the city, anyone should be able to watch them with ease if they so wish. Unfortunately, it means falling asleep before midnight may be a bit hard with all the noise. On the 25th, characters will be with dining with the Empress as the fireworks happen.

Comments

[princeandscholar]

[Everyone should know what whipped cream is!]

It's like ice cream, but lighter and not always cold. It's put on pastries and in drinks.

[And like whipped cream, the cotton candy doesn't seem to be lasting long! It looked like there was more when it was big and fluffy. Orcelito can understand why others go back for seconds.]

Really? Is there anything else here that you've recognized from your home? Or that you haven't recognized?

[Normally, he asks people about their technology or magic to get an idea of their world. But food... that's an important detail too.]

[masqueraid]

"That makes sense," Ren seemed to coincede. "In all the movies I've seen on the subject, it's usually the bad guy toys that have the most to say." This, apparently, is a very important tidbit of info.

He reaches into the bin, pulling up a copy of Kefka— everyone's favourite psychotic clown face. "This one for example... is probably about to say something especially gruesome."

He presses the button, unleashing a terrifying... "There's sand on by boots!"

[poisonwish]

"Hmmm..." Snow White settled with his mug and crossed one leg over the other delicately. It had been awhile since he'd been in the courts of kings and queens himself, even if he was royalty.

"People are scared of the unknown," he judged, taking a sip of his coffee. "The empire has, apparently, been closed to the rest of the world until now. Everyone is imagining monsters in the shadows because they don't know what's really there."

He shook his head. "It's childish ignorance."

[poisonwish]

For the briefest moment, Snow White almost answered with "The blood of my enemies." But it wasn't entirely true, and worse it might frighten the child away from proper skin care.

"I haven't used any of these ones before today," he answered honestly, regarding the saleswoman's wares. "Back on my world, I didn't really need them..."

Fairest of them all, of course. And he would argue that the same applied here, but he wasn't about to take any chances either -- just in case.

"A facial moisturizer is absolutely necessary," Snow declared, nodding sagely. "Your face is your first impression, it needs to be a good one. And then of course you need to care for your hands and your feet. Dry skin is unsightly, but cracks could lead to infection..."

"I have a sugar scrub for rough elbows and knees," the saleswoman piped up.

"You're going to buy the whole line, aren't you, kupo?" Apple asked quietly, worrying her paws.

[einspine]

OF COURSE! ALL MEALS ARE BEST SAVORED... RATHER THAN SHOVED IN YOUR FACE ALL MESSILY. WHICH MY BROTHER DOES QUITE OFTEN, WHEN HE'S NOT TAKING ALL THE INGREDIENTS AND DEVOURING THEM LIKE A GOBLIN.

[So, yes, he's going to take those tiny nibbles now. Chewing carefully- though he pauses a few times. He... doesn't eat sweets very often, but this certainly isn't bad! Hrm. HRM...

Time for bite number two. Yes.

He tries to keep it cool. Tries to remain nonchalant on the surface as he downs the last bit of that final bite.]

THAT WAS... FAIRLY GOOD, YES. CERTAINLY BETTER THAN SOMETHING SLATHERED IN GREASE!

[acceptedlife]

Bingo. [He shudders slightly at the thought, before shaking his head.]

And nah. My memories were messed up even before then. In more ways then one.

[righthandstand]

[The waitress holds up a finger and rushes into the back room, where she speaks with the shift manager. Okuyasu fiddles with the mini menu with the day's specials.]

Man, I hope you don't die on the way back.

[The waiter heads back to their table with a bottle in hand.]

[toxicodendron_isley]

"Dream?" What a strange way to put it. "No. Nothing so whimsical. Mostly I'd just like to look into the plant life of this world."

undertale spoilerrrrs I guess

[einspine]

"WELL, NO. GENOCIDE IS VERY MUCH NOT ON MY AGENDA, AND. WELL. THE VESSEL... WASN'T ORIGINALLY SAPIENT? AND NOW THAT HE IS, HE SEEMS PERFECTLY A-OKAY WITH DOING HIS THING."

Despite this, he still fidgets slightly. There's just a tiny hint of anxiety in his voice. "REALLY, HE'S BEEN A TERRIFIC FRIEND. AND SURPRISINGLY KNOWLEDGEABLE. BUT... WELL. I NEVER STOPPED TO ASK HIM ABOUT HIS, ERM. STATE. AS HE WAS JUST SORT OF... INJECTED WITH THE RAW POWER OF DETERMINATION."

Re: undertale spoilerrrrs I guess

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja is quiet for a long while, as he considers this. "It's a dangerous thing, imparting large amounts of spiritual energy to a vessel not prepared for it. I... hope, for your sake, he doesn't come to resent you or the world for it."

[einspine]

"HE'S A FLOWER."

It's said quickly. Nervously. Oh dear, this is worrisome. So very, very worrisome.

"YOU SEE, ERM. WE WERE... DOING EXPERIMENTS. TO, ERM. UNRAVEL THE SECRETS OF THE SOUL AND POTENTIALLY SIMULATE THE RAW POWER OF A HUMAN SOUL. TO BREAK THE BARRIER THAT TRAPS US UNDERGROUND.

BUT WE NEEDED A VESSEL- SOMETHING THAT COULD CARRY HUMAN SOULS AND A SUPERPOWERED MONSTER SOUL. SOMETHING THAT WASN'T HUMAN OR MONSTER."

This was... a lot more than he ever intended to air out, but. Well. Kuja did seem like he had similar experiences, and it was a bit too late to turn back. Hrm.

"BUT I ASSURE YOU, EVEN WHILE HE WASN'T CONSCIOUS, I TOOK GOOD CARE OF HIM! I GAVE HIM PLENTY OF WATER AND UV LIGHT. AND I READ HIM MY FAVORITE BOOKS!"

[acapriciousreaper]

Kuja stares at Papyrus, a calculating detachment writ on his face. "You may be fortunate, then. You're a better creator than mine ever was. Perhaps your little botany project won't turn out as badly as I did."

Kuja makes a show of checking his iMog, before putting it away. "My sincerest apologies, but I am slightly past due for dinner with an associate." It's a transparent excuse, but this topic of conversation is taking him places he'd really rather not go, for the moment.

[charming_jerk]

"Yeah, I didn't think so." Johnny couldn't even imagine Reno retiring, really. He couldn't think of what Reno would do with himself all day otherwise.

Johnny laughed a bit at being asked to talk about Florida, mostly, well, because it's Florida.

"Florida's filled with tourists, retirees, and rednecks. It's a, whattayacallit -- peninsula? So there's a lot of beaches, and swamps and stuff... They also got the most popular amusement parks in the world there. It's also humid as all hell. I ain't a fan. There are way better beaches elsewhere. In short, I ain't ever retiring there."

[strawberryredgrave]

Dante smiled right back. Sora seems like a good kid; he won't have to worry about him very much.

"So...mind if I ask what your home was like? Call me curious."

[shinra_dog]

"Even though there's the most popular amusement parks in the world?" Reno smiled. "I dunno man, that sounds pretty cool."

Though maybe not if they got much older. Gods, how old could Reno possibly get? He couldn't imagine himself as an old man.

"Okay, forget Florida." Reno waved it off. "Where would you go?"

[angealwings]

Beat. Even while he was letting Sora drag him around. He had no reason not to, after all.

Deadpan.

"I can assure you my job is all about unarmed combat."

[poisonwish]

[Snow White clapped his hands.]

Alright! So for starters, it is still hot out there. You want a nice summer suit, we have to go linen or silk -- and I'm a big fan of silk. Linen just wrinkles so fast and I just don't trust you in it.

[Brutal, but moving on...]

I am loving the idea of blue though, or even a deep teal, I think that'll really bring out your eyes.

[charming_jerk]

"I don't trust any place that calls itself 'the Happiest Place on Earth'. It's suspicious." Johnny says that with a grin, though.

He doesn't have to think long about that. There's one place he'd move to tomorrow if he could. "Lake Tahoe. It's up in the mountains, so you got skiing and all that, but then there's the beaches at the lake. Best of both worlds."

[4got10]

[Chara has to admit they can appreciate how thorough Papyrus is being about savoring that chocolate. He is...perhaps being a bit too thorough, sure. To the point Chara has to stifle a little laughter as the skeleton thoroughly analyzes his meal.]

Your brother sounds like he's a guy on the go, if he has to eat that fast.

[Chara smiles at Papyrus' declaration.]

Chocolate is the greatest meal ever concocted. Maybe it's not the ONLY thing you can eat, but it should be.

[zanarkandian]

Heh, yeah. Guess I'm a mess.

[He grinned and touched a fabric similar to what the man was describing, gravitating toward teal.]

You think? It's not too much?

[kuposcreed]

[Bonnie thinks it over, but then she nods.]

Kupo, I guess you're right about that. That's part of why Mary was trying to get to the Diamond WEAPON before Plaitutu did. Mary's plan was to disable it if she could, but mostly she just wanted to keep Palitutu from finding it and using it for her own ends, kupo.

[And when Cloud piloted the Ultima WEAPON he didn't use it for evil, but to protect everyone, even if it was still terrifying to see it flying around like that.]

[kuposcreed]

Bonnie nodded, looking no less interested or enthusiastic. "That's good, kupo. I hope you enjoy your search and find all sorts of interesting things....Oh, um, but be careful, kupo. Some of the plant monsters back in my world were pretty dangerous. Some had sharp teeth and vines and lots and lots of poison. A Malboro's 'Bad Breath' is very potent. If this world really is a lot like mine then they probably have those here too, kupo."

[toxicodendron_isley]

"Well now you can consider my curiously definitely piqued." Ivy was more than familiar with dangerous plants. "I must admit, I have a particular fondness for the more hazardous species."

[kuposcreed]

"Mmm, well just be careful, kupo." The moogle scrunched her fuzzy face up in a frown of concern. "Plant monsters tend to be among the stronger ones, more often then not. Though, I guess they'd have to be to defend themselves from other animals and monsters, kupo."

And Adventurers.

"Kupo, I think there's a Monster Arena where the man there pays good gil for dangerous monsters to be brought to him. Maybe you can help him out, kupo?" Bonnie has no idea the potential path she's offering to Pamela, though on the other side of things the monsters possibly WOULD do better with someone minding their health. Shame the other two Gotham City Sirens aren't here to cover the animal side of things.

[shinra_dog]

"Really? I'm surprised. I think crowds are useful if you don't like bein' somewhere. It's a surefire way t' get lost. No one pays attention in crowds." That, and when no one else was paying attention, it was a good way to watch others.

"Reno." He offered his hand as he introduced himself as well.